The Kenton County Airport Board on Monday approved a construction project that would reroute a portion of Ky. 20 north of Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport to make room for a new runway.

The $15.6 million project is to begin Aug. 1 and would include construction of 1 1/2 miles of road, two bridges and a tunnel; and utility and sewer work.

The airport board also approved $1.8 million in funding to cover administration of the construction project, including testing and inspection.

Ohio-based E.S. Wagner Co. will lead the project, to be completed in 14 months.

A half-mile of Hossman Road between Limaburg Road and Ky. 20 also will be closed to make way for the runway, exacerbating expected traffic congestion during construction.

Once the runway is completed, it is expected to relieve airport congestion during construction.

Once the runway is completed, it is expected to relieve airport congestion, allowing more flights and ensuring the region's long-term growth. It will be the airport's third north-south runway and has been in the planning for eight years.

The new 8,000-foot long runway would open by late 2005 and be built just west of the two existing north-south runways.